Keeps State Worker Rules Matching Federal Protections
Virginia · HB339 · Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Why it matters
If federal worker protections are cut back, Virginia would have to adopt the older federal rules as a minimum. Workers and miners would keep those protections under state law.
What it does
- Requires state wage and hour rules to match federal protections if federal ones weaken
- Requires state mine safety rules to match federal ones if federal ones weaken
- Requires the state to act as soon as practical when federal rules are weakened
- Changes the Safety and Health Codes Commission into the Safety and Health Codes Board
Status
Latest action (2026-07-21): Continued from last session
About this bill
Would require Virginia to adopt older federal worker and mine safety protections if federal rules become weaker. The state would act as soon as practical, and existing enforcement and penalties would apply.
Employee protections; wage and hour, health and safety, and mining safety provisions.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Labor groups would likely say state rules should not fall behind federal protections. They would say workers need a backstop when federal rules are weakened.
💬 The case against
Some business groups would likely say state rules could cost more to follow. They may also argue that Virginia should set its own standards.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
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